The Songzanlin Scenic Area is located near Niwang Road, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, known as the "Little Potala Palace." It integrates the essence of Tibetan plastic arts and is also hailed as the "Tibetan Art Museum." The main monastery in the scenic area covers an area of 33 hectares and is of grand scale. The monastery houses precious cultural relics such as eight gilded Sakyamuni statues, Tripitaka scriptures on palm leaves, colorful golden-threaded Thangka paintings, golden lamps, and Danzhuer scriptures.
Historical Culture
Ganden Songzanlin Monastery was built in 1679, approved by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, and its location was personally selected by the 5th Dalai Lama through divination. The basic construction was completed in 1681, and the 5th Dalai Lama bestowed it with the names "Trinity Resting Place" and "Ganden Songzanlin." In the second year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, the Qing government named it "Guihua Temple."
In the summer of 1936, during the Long March, Commander He Long and other leaders of the 2nd Red Army passed through Shangri-La City. He Long visited Guihua Temple, met with living Buddhas and lamas, and presented a brocade banner inscribed with "Prosperity for Ethnic Minorities." The monastery was damaged during the "Ten Years of Turmoil," and the existing structures were rebuilt after 1981. In 1982, the State Bureau of Religious Affairs awarded Ganden Songzanlin Monastery the honorary title of "Patriotic Education Base."
In December 2024, it passed the provincial-level landscape quality preliminary evaluation for national 5A-level tourist attractions and is currently applying to the National Tourism Administration.
Main Attractions
Tsakhang and Jikang Main Monasteries
The two main monasteries, Tsakhang and Jikang, are built at the highest point in the center of the monastery complex, featuring 5-story Tibetan-style carved tower architecture. The upper floor of the main hall is covered with gilded copper tiles, and the roof corners are decorated with beast-shaped ornaments and upturned eaves, incorporating Han-style temple architectural elements. The lower hall has 108 columns, representing an auspicious number in Buddhism, and can accommodate 1,600 people sitting cross-legged for chanting.
Lhamo Yumtso Lake
Lhamo Yumtso Lake is located near Songzanlin Monastery, with a lake surface elevation of 3,282 meters and a water area of up to 21.5 hectares during the rainy season. The lake is replenished by underground springs along the lake margin and within the lake, as well as surface water during the rainy season, making it a seasonal lake. Various waterbirds such as black-necked cranes and yellow ducks inhabit the lake. From the main hall of Songzanlin Monastery, the lake appears as clear as a mirror, with the lake and mountains reflecting each other.
Food
Tibetan Butter Tea
t is made from butter, brick tea, etc., with a rich flavor, which can help tourists resist the cold on the plateau and replenish physical energy.
Highland Barley Bread
Made from highland barley flour, it has a crispy texture and is one of the local specialty staple foods.
Yak Meat
Yak meat is firm in texture and can be cooked in various ways such as braising and stewing. It is delicious and nutritious, providing ample calories for visitors.
Admission
Full ticket: 90 yuan/person; half ticket: 62 yuan/person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "松赞林景区保护开发有限责任公司" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Winter: 07:00–19:30 (it is recommended to purchase tickets by 17:30 at the latest); Summer: 07:00–20:00.
Tour Routes
Lakeside Boardwalk Route: Songzanlin Monastery Gatehouse → Floating Bridge → Panoramic Viewing Point → Dongqusheng → Sacred Tree → Xiaojiezi → Lhamo Yumtso Square → Sacred Spring → Songzanlin Viewing Platform (approximately 1 hour).
Essence Route: Songzanlin Monastery Gatehouse → Zongkaba Hall → Tsakhang Hall → Main Kang Sakyamuni Hall (approximately 1.5 hours).
Outer Route: Songzanlin Monastery Gatehouse → Lhamo Yumtso Lake Square → Bodhi Stupa (approximately 1 hour).
Inner Circumambulation Route: Songzanlin Monastery Gatehouse → Jidi Kangtsen → Zaya Kangtsen → Zongkaba Hall → Tsakhang Hall → Main Kang Sakyamuni Hall → Rongba Kangtsen → Duke Kangtsen → Songzanlin Monastery Gatehouse (approximately 3 hours).
Transportation
- Public Transport: Take bus No. 3 from the gate of Dukezong Ancient City or the bus stop on Changzheng Avenue to the scenic area's visitor center.
- Self-Driving: Navigate directly from Dukezong Ancient City to the Songzanlin Monastery parking lot, where parking is free.
- Taxi: Departing from Dukezong Ancient City, the fare is approximately 12 yuan, and the journey takes 15 minutes to reach the scenic area entrance.
Must-See Attractions
- Tsakhang Hall: The core building of Songzanlin Monastery, with magnificent architecture and numerous Buddha statues and precious cultural relics enshrined inside, allowing visitors to deeply appreciate the solemnity and mystery of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Lhamo Yumtso Lake: With clear waters and a picturesque reflection of Songzanlin Monastery, it is an excellent spot for photographing the monastery's panoramic view and observing various waterbirds.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to visit from March to May and September to November, when the spring and autumn scenery is at its best.
- Follow the free guided tours provided by the monastery to gain a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- If time permits, choose the inner circumambulation route to fully explore all attractions in the scenic area.
- For panoramic photos of the monastery, go to the panoramic viewing point on the lakeside boardwalk.
Notes
- When visiting the monastery halls, prayer halls, pagodas, incense platforms, and Mani stone piles, always move in a clockwise direction.
- After getting off the sightseeing bus, you need to climb stairs to enter the monastery. It is recommended to bring a small oxygen cylinder to prevent altitude sickness and rest in place when tired.
- Respect local religious beliefs and customs, and do not touch religious objects such as Buddha statues and prayer flags arbitrarily.
- Some areas in the scenic area prohibit photography; please pay attention to the signs.